Cover & Synopsis: “The Iron King” by Maurice Druon, 1st Book in the Series That Inspired George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones”

Amazon has the cover art and synopsis of the upcoming reprint novel The Iron King by Maurice Druon, the first book in the The Accursed Kings series that “inspired George R.R. Martin’s epic work”, A Game of Thrones.

Here’s the synopsis:

From the publishers that brought you A Game of Thrones comes the series that inspired George R.R. Martin’s epic work.

“Accursed! Accursed! You shall be accursed to the thirteenth generation!”

The Iron King – Philip the Fair – is as cold and silent, as handsome and unblinking as a statue. He governs his realm with an iron hand, but he cannot rule his own family: his sons are weak and their wives adulterous; while his red-blooded daughter Isabella is unhappily married to an English king who prefers the company of men.

A web of scandal, murder and intrigue is weaving itself around the Iron King; but his downfall will come from an unexpected quarter. Bent on the persecution of the rich and powerful Knights Templar, Philip sentences Grand Master Jacques Molay to be burned at the stake, thus drawing down upon himself a curse that will destroy his entire dynasty…

8 Comments on Cover & Synopsis: “The Iron King” by Maurice Druon, 1st Book in the Series That Inspired George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones”

Nice!
I’ve had the French versions of these books (I think there are six in total) sitting on my shelves for years. I did read the first one and loved some aspects of it, while hating one character so much that I didn’t continue reading.
I should really pick them up again and I definitely see why the series may have inspired GRRM.

P.S.: I’m totally jealous because this cover is much cooler than my French one.

Was this inspiration in any greater level than wars in England, or lead knight miniatures were for GRRM? Has he cited this particularly more (seriously, I’ve heard him talk about history and I’ve heard him talk about figures, but I’ve never heard him mention this).

Heading over to my local (hah) online bookshop to see if there’s an eBook…

Recognition

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